Relationships

Relationship (re-la-tion-ship, noun): An emotional or other connection between people.

I have always prioritized my relationships, from little on. I grew up living next door to my grandmother and seeing her every day. I wrote letters to friends I met at summer camp. I cried when friends moved away. And now that I have my own family, I’m focused on spending the time I need with my husband and kids to feel whole. And science tells me that it’s not just fun to have strong relationships, but it’s also a really important indicator of longevity (www.bluezones.com has lots of great info about this). When I think about my relationships and what commitments I want to make, here are some of the questions I ask:

Who are the most important people in my life, and am I seeing them often enough?

Am I able to be present, and give the people around me what they need from me (are my relationships 2-way streets)?

Am I able to do things that support other parts of my well-being (exercise, food, mind, work) with other people?

Are my connections diverse (in age, experience, world view, etc)?

What relationship questions are important to you as you put together your wellfesto?